Harvinder Singh had time to reflect during the 40 -hour journey earlier this week, which was on an American military transport aircraft from Texas to Amritsar city of Punjab state of India.
The flight was the last chapter of a chapter that began in June 2024, when Singh paid more than 4 million rupees ($ 46,000) agent to pass the US. The agent assured the 41 -year -old man from Punjab that he would legally reach America in two weeks.
Singh said, “But instead, I traveled through Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Panama, Nicaragua and Mexico, sometimes under uncertain conditions, hoping to reach America, the land of opportunity,” Told DW.
Singh’s agent provided his journey through the so -called “donkey route”.
The term is used to describe illegal and risky immigration routes in India, which are used by people to enter America or other western countries without proper documentation, including many stops in various countries Are.
Singh said that he and other migrants live on a subsistence diet, while often walking from difficult terrain and in some weather conditions.
In an example, he and a group of migrants were put into a small boat in the sea towards Mexico, and during the journey a person gets out of the boat with a life jacket and could not be saved.
Singh said, “I saw one more in the Panama forest.”
‘I put everything at risk’
Singh was caught in Mexico just before crossing the US in late January and handed over the US border patrol and hero at a date center.
Hey was placed in handcuffs and huts on a military aircraft and sent to India from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra states with more than 100 exile.
Others were included in the exile flight, 19 women and 13 minors, one four -year -old boy and two girls, including five and seven.
The father of two children Singh said, “I feel destroyed after putting everything, money, security and even my dignity in the hope of achieving a better future for my family.”
How many unspecified Indians are in America?
Pu Research Center in Washington, Citing the latest data Since 2022, it is estimated that about 725,000 unauthorized immigrants from India live in America, which will form a third-mart group after Mexico and Al Salvador.
However, data from Migration Policy Institute (MPI), Estimate In 2022, there were 375,000 unauthorized migrants from India in America, making them the 5th largest group.
Nevertheless, India and America have been negotiating exile for a long time. Last year, the US identified around 18,000 unspecified Indian migrants to send back home, according to the special Bloomberg report.
The Indian citizen’s exile has paid attention to the challenges that faces many after returning. Many people have tried to reach America all their savings.
Kuljinder Kaur, wife of Harvinder Singh, told DW, “It’s getting difficult and I can’t think further. Savings grace is my husband back, but the loan is crushing.”
“For now, we want to be alone … let us fix it collectively,” he said.
‘all is lost’
Akashdeep Singh, who was on a flight, told DW that he gave his finance and his family’s emotional well to live in America.
A 23 -year -old from a village near Amritsar sold huge land roads and took a loan for 6 million rupees (€ 66,000) to fund his journey.
About eight months before his exile, Akashdeep moved to Dubai with the hope of working as a truck driver. However, he fell through the job and then decided to go to America through an agent, which left him to Lurch.
Akashdeep said, “I was arrested in January. It was a herable and I do not want to go to the details, but the shade is what I should take and cannot forget,” Akashdeep refused to provide more details. .
“Don’t ask me what inspired me to take a risk decision,” hey said.
Trump’s immigration crack
Earlier this week, the exile from India from the US was part of a domestic growth on INREAGELE MIGEMELAGE Uners, which could be Donald Trump, who has given political priority to exile.
However, the use of American military aircraft for the first time instead of regular commercial flights to deport 104 Indian national has given a strong symbolic and political message.
The flight comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much awaited visit to Washington next week.
The move has criticized opposition parties in India, which are questioning both time and treatment of deported by US authorities.
In a statement in both houses of Parliament, Indian Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined that the “use of restrictions” during exile flight was done according to the US standard operating procedures, and New Delhi was attached to Washington so that it was sure Can be done that it was not deported.
“Effective since 2012, provides for the use of resignation for exile by aircraft used by ICE (American immigration and customs enforcement),” Jeshankar said, said, handcuffs and huts use Respect for concerns on.
Akashdeep Singh’s father, 55 -year -old, Swaran Singh, while waiting for his son at Amritsar Airport, told DW that despite facing the financial burden, all this matters to return home safely.
“The agent promised me that this would be a safe journey. I trusted him, but now everything is lost. At least, my son is back and this is important. We have an uncertain and worrying future because There are lots of loans to clarify, “Hey.
“The harsh reality in family and other places in the country in Punjab is that when we return to family members in this fashion, we face financial ruin and social stigma.”
Edited by: Wesley Rahan
